Loy
Loy is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Gray, or chosen and select.
Origin and history
Loy is a traditional English name historically used both as an independent given name and as a short form of Lloyd or Eligius. While it enjoyed moderate popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it is quite rare today. It offers a distinct, single-syllable vintage appeal.
Popularity in the United States
4,111 babies in the United States have been named Loy since 1880. It ranks #1955 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1920.
States where it is most popular
- TX (27.4 %)
- AR (19.7 %)
- GA (13.9 %)
- OK (13.5 %)
- MO (8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 38 |
| 1890-1900 | 73 |
| 1900-1910 | 116 |
| 1910-1920 | 543 |
| 1920-1930 | 825 |
| 1930-1940 | 771 |
| 1940-1950 | 599 |
| 1950-1960 | 451 |
| 1960-1970 | 285 |
| 1970-1980 | 178 |
| 1980-1990 | 88 |
| 1990-2000 | 65 |
| 2000-2010 | 51 |
| 2010-2019 | 21 |
| 2020-2029 | 7 |
Famous people named Loy
- Loy W. Henderson: Diplomat, Ambassador
Fun facts
- In medieval England, Saint Eligius was commonly referred to as Saint Loy, as made famous in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
- Loy reached its highest U.S. birth popularity in the late 1800s and early 1900s before gradually declining into a rare vintage choice.